Programs

  • Walk-In Dinner Program

    WALK-IN DINNER PROGRAM: SINCE 1991, FAMILY PROMISE HAS BEEN SERVING COMPLETE, NUTRITIOUS, FREE MEALS TO PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM NO QUESTIONS ASKED. IN THE BEGINNING, ALMOST ALL OF THE MEALS WERE PREPARED AND DONATED BY LOCAL HOUSES OF WORSHIP. IN 2008, FAMILY PROMISE VOLUNTEERS BEGAN SERVING MEALS TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY'S SHELTER FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AT THE BERGEN COUNTY HOUSING, HEALTH, AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTER IN HACKENSACK. WHEN COVID STRUCK IN 2020, FAMILY PROMISE DELIVERED MEALS TO THE RESIDENTS WHO HAD BEEN MOVED TO MOTELS SO THEY COULD ISOLATE SAFELY. VOLUNTEERS BEGAN DISTRIBUTING ADDITIONAL MEALS TO-GO TO PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY, MANY OF THEM FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, WHO WERE HOUSED BUT HAD LOST WAGES DURING THAT TIME AND WERE FOOD INSECURE. RECOGNIZING THE GROWING NEED, THIS PRACTICE CONTINUED EVEN AFTER THE COVID PANDEMIC ENDED AND IS STILL OPERATING TO THIS DAY. AS THE PRICE OF FOOD RISES AND THE SIZE OF CONGREGATIONS SHRINK, FAMILY PROMISE NOW PAYS FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF ALL OF THE MEALS. IN 2024, THE FAMILY PROMISE WALK-IN DINNER SERVED 70,124 MEALS TO VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND CHILDREN. RECEIVING FREE MEALS ALLOWS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO SAVE SOME OF THEIR MODEST INCOMES TO PAY THE RENT, MAKING THIS DINNER PROGRAM A HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM AS WELL.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $746.4K

  • Homeless Prevention Program

    HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM: IT IS MUCH MORE COST EFFECTIVE TO KEEP FAMILIES IN THEIR CURRENT HOME THAN TO REHOUSE THEM AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN EVICTED. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE AS RENTS HAVE SKYROCKETED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID PANDEMIC. FAMILY PROMISE PROVIDES FUNDING TO WORKING FAMILIES FOR RENT, RENTAL ARREARS, AND SERVICES DESIGNED TO ALLOW THEM TO REMAIN IN STABLE HOUSING. OFTEN, A SMALL AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE CAN KEEP A FAMILY FROM SPIRALING INTO HOMELESSNESS. FAMILIES WHO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE MEET WITH CASE MANAGERS AND ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT THEIR CONTINUED SUCCESS MAINTAINING STABLE HOUSING. IN 2024, FAMILY PROMISE KEPT 29 FAMILIES - MADE UP OF 79 CHILDREN AND ADULTS - IN STABLE HOUSING FOR AN AVERAGE OF LESS THAN $3,200 PER FAMILY IN HOMELESS PREVENTION FUNDING.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $165.9K

  • New Leaf/New Life Transitional Housing

    NEW LEAF/NEW LIFE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM: HOMELESSNESS IS A COMPLEX SITUATION WITH MANY CAUSES AND UNDERLYING ISSUES. AFTER A THOROUGH SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT PERIOD IN THE BRIDGE PROGRAM, CLIENT FAMILIES WHO SHOW PARTICULAR MOTIVATION AND NEED ADDITIONAL TIME TO ADDRESS THEIR PERSONAL, FINANCIAL, AND EMPLOYMENT GOALS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE IN ONE OF THE APARTMENTS THAT FAMILY PROMISE RENTS AND MANAGES. FAMILY CASE MANAGERS OFFER GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO FAMILIES AS THEY ASSUME THESE INDEPENDENT LIVING SITUATIONS. FAMILIES MAY REMAIN IN AN APARTMENT FOR UP TO TWO YEARS AS LONG AS THEY ARE WORKING TOWARD THEIR GOALS. FAMILIES IN THIS PROGRAM ARE ABLE TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF ALL OF THE SERVICES FAMILY PROMISE OFFERS INCLUDING:- JOB TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR BETTER PAYING JOBS- CHILDCARE AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE REMOVES COMMON BARRIERS TO SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT- FINANCIAL EDUCATION IMPROVES MONEY MANAGEMENT SKILLS. WITH THE HELP OF PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL COACHES, FAMILIES ARE GIVEN THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO ADDRESS THEIR PARTICULAR FINANCIAL CHALLENGES.- PARTICIPATION IN A MANDATORY SAVINGS PLAN TO CREATE AN EMERGENCY FUND TO BE ABLE TO FACE UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES ONCE THEY LEAVE THE PROGRAM- PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOPS HELP FAMILIES INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND GAIN CONFIDENCE. WHEN FAMILIES BECOME EMPOWERED, THEY BEGIN OPERATING FROM A STANDPOINT OF OPTIMISM AND SELF-DETERMINATION AS THEY ADVANCE TOWARD THEIR GOALS. INTERVIEW AND SOFT SKILLS TRAINING, COMMUNICATION AND ASSERTIVENESS, POSITIVE PARENTING, AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES ARE EXAMPLES OF TOPICS THAT ARE EXPLORED.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $258.3K